Rizal Memorial Stadium to host AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup games

The semifinal and final matches will also be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium if the Philippines advances to the knockout stages. (File photo by patrickroque01/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The historic Rizal Memorial Football Stadium will host the national team’s home matches for the Asian Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022.

The Azkals will play Brunei Darussalam on Dec. 23 and Indonesia on Jan. 2, 2023 in the 12,000-capacity venue.

For their away matches, the Azkals will take on Cambodia on Dec. 20 in Phnom Penh, and Thailand on Dec. 26 in Bangkok.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) officials said they are grateful for the availability of the venue where the Azkals qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

“We are delighted to have the Rizal Memorial Stadium host the Azkals once again as they embark on their campaign in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. said in a statement.

“We encourage all football fans and stakeholders to support the Men’s National Team and watch the matches live,” he added.

The semifinal and final matches will also be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium if the Philippines advances to the knockout stages.

PFF secretary general Atty. Edwin Gastanes said, “Rizal Memorial is our national stadium and is primed to host the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup matches, as it hosted exciting matches in the memorable AFF Women’s Cup last July 2022. We thank the Philippine Sports Commission led by Chairman Noli Eala for their steadfast support in promoting football.”

The Azkals are having a training camp at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in preparation for the tournament.